Supporters and opponents of the civil union bill gathered today on opposite sides of the Capitol prior to the measure being heard in the House Judiciary Committee.

In a prayer vigil on the east side of the Capitol, opponents of the bill relayed a message that civil unions and same-sex marriage are wrong.

“I believe that to change the definition of marriage in Colorado law is not the right way to go,” said Sen. Kevin Lundberg, R- Berthoud, who voted against the bill when it was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

As the prayer vigil wrapped, a rally in support of civil unions began on the west steps of the Capitol.

The size of that crowd dwarfed those at the prayer vigil. Supporters chanted “we are one” and “yes to civil unions.”

“I believe everyone has the right to love whoever they want to and marry whoever they want to,” said Rep. Max Tyler, D-Lakewood. “The time has come for these equal rights in Colorado.”

A native of Colorado, Kurtis Lee was a politics reporter for The Denver Post from February 2011 until July 2014. He graduated cum laude from Temple University in 2009 with a degree in journalism and political science. He previously worked as an online writer in Washington, D.C., for the PBS NewsHour.

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